“We just got done with West’s mess. Pete was one thing but that congressman’s son? NowthatOliver owes me for. Thank god for the sex scandal–we ended up having the perfect excuse for the publicly-humiliated teacher toleave town.”
“I know.”
“If Dominguez realizes Marco’s disappearance is connected to us, then we’re all fucked.”
“I know,” I repeated for the third time.
To state the obvious, I wasn’t doing the job I was meant for. I was doing my brother’s work.Bobbywould’ve never lost his cool in that situation.Bobbywould’ve waited for the signal, gone in, and handled business. But I wasn’t Bobby and I didn’t have his control.
“We’re supposed to be working with him, not taking out one of his top guys.”
Yet Dante made the call to take him out.
“It was Dante who made the call.” I reminded him.
He sighed. “This isn’t about Danica, is it?”
I stopped swiveling and sat up straight. “Maybe it was. I found out some interesting information from her. About what you ask her to do sometimes.”
“What I ask my employees to do is none of your business.”
“Like fuck it isn’t! You expect me to take over once I’m done with college, yet you keep the fact that you’re whoring out your best friend’s daughter a secret. Do you even realize the damage you’re doing to her?”
Dad chuckled. Fucking chuckled. “Son–that girl is no more damaged now than she was two years ago. She was made for this life, Kane. She’s tough. And women have certain advantages that men don’t. It’s up to us to utilize them when we can.”
“That’s…” Disgusting. Repulsive. Abhorrent. “Not true at all. She’s barely eighteen! How long have you been making her do this?”
“Everything she does is discussed with Dante first. She agrees to it too. If she doesn’t have a problem with it, you shouldn’t either. Has she been complaining about it to you?” Dad’s eyes narrowed and his back became rigid.
I didn’t mean to throw Dani under the bus, but she had a right to dictate what she did with her own body.
“No, she said it wasn’t a big deal. But it is, Dad. The men she spends time with are fucking old, for one. And they’re dangerous. She could get hurt.”
“She knows how to handle herself. You and I are both well aware of that.” He kicked back in his office chair and lit up a cigar.
I think I’d get further by bashing my head against the table.
“You just worry about your job and I’ll worry about the rest. And don’t ever pull a stunt like that again,” he warned, puffing on the cigar.
“I won’t,” I mumbled as I stood up to leave.
“You’ll have to cancel your little Halloween party this year. It’s all hands on deck for our gun exchange at the dock.”
“And you’re just telling me now? I’ll have to postpone it or something. People will freak out if I cancel it outright. I’ll have to move a lot of shit around.”
“I wasn’t planning on the deal going down so quickly. I know you’re known for your Halloween parties but putting it off a week or two shouldn’t be a big deal.”
I sighed to myself. People would be pissed. My Halloween parties were legendary around here, but there was nothing I could do to change the plans at this point.
I turned to leave, trying to escape for the second time, when Dad said something to halt me in my tracks. “I have another event that I want you to attend with Lauren next Saturday.”
“Fuck no,” I groaned and huffed like a pissed off toddler, slowly turning to face him again.
“Kane.” Dad turned on his authoritative boss voice. “Her father is the city commissioner. Her uncle is the chief of police. Her family plays a big role in this city and we need them on our side. They could easily shut down our operations if pressed to do so.”
“What does my dating her have to do with that? Can’t you come up with an arrangement that doesn’t involve my dick?”
Dad laughed. “Whether you want to admit it or not, our family is powerful in this town. She wants a Moretti on her arm.”